Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Response
Language forms an important part of our everyday life. It serves as the means of communicating our desires, moods and feelings; therefore living in a country where we have to speak a foreign language can often pose not only social but also pragmatic problems. The primary reason that one might face social issues while residing in a nation where they have to speak a non-native language is that they can feel conscious or insecure about their language proficiency, leading to excess stress and anxiety; therefore some trouble in making friends can be experienced. Uncertainties about their communication skills might hold them back from expressing themselves honestly and making valuable connections. Additionally, when one learns a second language, it tends to lie more on the formal side of the spectrum whereas in everyday life people use informal language, in such a scenario, individuals might face some adversity in comprehending other people’s statements. Culture differences can also be linked to language barrier, as one might be unaware about the suitable public behaviour; they can unknowingly offend the people around them. Language barrier can also hinder one’s professional life. For instance, while trying to communicate with authorities one might misunderstand what is expected out of them and act inappropriately or fail to positively communicate about the troubles they are facing, this affects their rapport in the cooperate world and can stagnate their work life. Moreover finding a job can be difficult, as during interviews they might come off as hesitant under confident and uncomfortable in their surroundings. In my opinion, living in a country where one has to adapt a second language does pose innumerable threats and can prove quite troublesome, but if people try and educate themselves about the culture they are surrounded by then these issues are bound to be resolved. Furthermore, native speakers can also be kinder and more accepting towards the non-native speakers.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct article choice Original: the Suggested revision: a Why it matters: Use the indefinite article because language is one means of communication.
- 2. Use correct expression Original: feel conscious Suggested revision: feel self-conscious Why it matters: Self-conscious accurately describes insecurity about one's own ability.
- 3. Use adjective form Original: excess Suggested revision: excessive Why it matters: The adjective excessive is needed to modify stress.
- 4. Use adjective form Original: Culture Suggested revision: Cultural Why it matters: Cultural is the adjective required before differences.
- 5. Correct preposition Original: about Suggested revision: of Why it matters: Unaware conventionally takes the preposition of.
- 6. Add article Original: Language barrier can Suggested revision: A language barrier can Why it matters: The singular countable noun phrase needs an article.
- 7. Punctuate transition Original: Moreover finding Suggested revision: Moreover, finding Why it matters: A comma should follow the introductory linking adverb.
- 8. Correct word and punctuation Original: hesitant under confident Suggested revision: hesitant, underconfident Why it matters: Underconfident is one word and needs separation from the preceding adjective.
- 9. Correct verb pattern Original: adapt a second language Suggested revision: adapt to using a second language Why it matters: Adapt requires to before the situation or activity being adjusted to.
- 10. Match task wording Original: pragmatic Suggested revision: practical Why it matters: Practical directly expresses the everyday difficulties intended here.
- 11. Use active construction Original: therefore some trouble in making friends can be experienced Suggested revision: therefore, they may experience difficulty making friends Why it matters: The active construction is clearer and supplies an explicit subject.
- 12. Add article Original: linked to language barrier Suggested revision: linked to a language barrier Why it matters: The singular countable noun barrier requires an article.
Suggested Rewrites
- the a
- feel conscious feel self-conscious
- excess excessive
- Culture Cultural
- about of
- Language barrier can A language barrier can
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response presents a clear position and develops a relevant range of social and practical consequences, with particularly effective explanation of insecurity and workplace difficulties. Its main limitation is that the entire argument is compressed into one paragraph and several claims or examples remain broad. The highest priority is to organise the ideas into distinct body paragraphs and support each main point with a more specific, fully explained example.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is sustained through relevant discussion of both social and practical problems, although some supporting claims remain general.
Develop each main consequence with a specific example and explain its direct connection to living in a foreign-language environment.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses logically through related consequences, but the single-paragraph format and several overloaded sentences weaken organisation.
Divide the response into an introduction, focused body paragraphs, and a conclusion, with each paragraph built around one controlling idea.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a varied vocabulary suited to the topic, though inaccurate collocations and word choices sometimes reduce precision.
Prioritise natural combinations such as cultural differences, language barriers, and corporate world, and check less familiar words before using them.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of complex structures conveys meaning clearly overall, but comma splices, article errors, and faulty sentence boundaries recur.
Separate independent clauses correctly and proofread long sentences for articles, prepositions, and complete grammatical boundaries.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.